Malaysia drop to bitter 16

DESPITE finishing fourth in the Asia Cup, the Malaysian hockey team have dropped to an all time low of 16th in the latest world ranking, putting them in a more difficult position of qualifying for next year's World Cup in New Delhi.
The drop of one place from 15th has also affected Malaysia's ranking in Asia where they are now sixth from the previous fifth behind top-ranked South Korea, Pakistan, India, China and Japan.
The scenario is unfavourable for Malaysia and if there's no improvement soon, they will likely be given a difficult draw in the World Cup Qualifiers in November.
There will be three World Cup qualifying tournaments involving six teams each in Lille, Auckland and Dubai.
Malaysia's only hope of improving their ranking before the World Cup Qualifiers is by making an impression, more like becoming champions, in the Champions Challenge II in Dublin in July 6-12.
Malaysia and Japan are the favourites to win the Champions Challenge II, which is a new International Hockey Federation (FIH) world-level event featuring teams who failed to qualify for the Champions Trophy or Champions Challenge I.
The Malaysian Hockey Federation (MHF) has to work on fast mode to ensure the team's preparation is in accordance to the Champions Challenge II and World Cup Qualifiers.
Among the things MHF needs to discuss are moving the local Malaysian Hockey Premier League, scheduled for October, to a later date and also to hire a full time coach for the team.
Currently, Tai Beng Hai is handling the national team on an interim basis.
Meanwhile, Asia Cup champions South Korea maintained fifth in the world ranking while Pakistan climbed two places to sixth.
China, who beat Malaysia in the Asia Cup bronze medal match, moved up three rungs to 13th. Former Olympic champions India dropped from 10th to 12th while Japan slipped three rungs to 14th. Germany are still the World No 1, followed by Australia, Spain and Netherlands.